Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Scottsdale public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
39 issues with high priority
Harquahala Valley Water Purchase Strategy
The city is exploring water acquisition opportunities in the Harquahala Valley, prompting closed-door legal and administrative consultations by the City Council.
Election Debate
Want to know where the Scottsdale City Council candidates stand before you vote? Check out this upcoming debate hosted by The Arizona Republic to see how their plans will impact your daily life.
Development Review Board Restructuring
The council reviewed sweeping changes to how volunteer boards operate, proposing to move annual reports to special meetings, standardize bylaws, and adjust membership requirements.
Preserve Infrastructure and Wildfire Mitigation
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve commission is prioritizing trailhead reinvestment, wildfire restoration, invasive species removal, and visitor safety during extreme heat.
Firefighter Cancer Surveillance and Prevention
The council directed staff to prepare a formal policy providing regular, optional cancer screenings for city firefighters to protect their health and safety.
Citizen Advisory Board and Commission Appointments
The city council filled multiple vacancies across 12 advisory boards and commissions, bringing in new resident volunteers to help guide city policy on airports, parks, planning, and transportation.
Surveillance Technology Review
Scottsdale's mayor is pushing the city council to review the local automated license plate reader camera program. Get ready for some heated public debate about your privacy and whether these pricey cameras actually work.
Election Forums
The Scottsdale Chamber is hosting upcoming candidate forums for the City Council races, giving voters a prime chance to check out who's running before casting a ballot. It's basically your best shot to size up the candidates and see where they stand on local issues without wading through endless campaign mailers.
Scottsdale Airport Customs and Border Protection Staffing Expansion
The city added a third customs officer at Scottsdale Airport to handle increasing international business travel and upcoming scheduled flights to Mexico.
City Council Meeting
Scottsdale's City Council is officially back in session, meaning local policy decisions and community debates are firing back up. It's time to pay attention because the choices made at these meetings directly affect your neighborhood and daily commute.
Salt River Wild Horse Herd Protection
Mayor Borowsky announced a two-year pause on plans to remove a significant portion of the Salt River wild horse herd, following state discussions and advocacy.
Public Safety Plan Ordinance and Security Training
The council moved to review public safety requirements and enhance security personnel training, particularly in areas like Old Town.
Short-Term Rental Emergency Contact Enforcement
The city added a formal definition for 'event centers' to municipal code, giving police and code enforcement stronger tools to crack down on disruptive party houses in residential neighborhoods.
Election Updates
The Scottsdale city council race is down to three candidates now that Littlefield dropped out. With fewer choices on your ballot, every single vote is going to pack a bigger punch this time around.
Election and Development
The Scottsdale City Council race just got interesting after a candidate dropped out to lead the fight against the controversial Axon apartment project. This shakeup highlights the ongoing tension between local political campaigns and massive housing developments in our neighborhoods.
Election Withdrawal
Scottsdale City Council candidate Littlefield just dropped out of the upcoming runoff, totally shaking up the local race. Voters now face a shifted political landscape as the remaining candidates scramble for the newly available support.
2026 Primary Election Canvass
The city formally certified its primary election results, ensuring that the vote counts are official and legally recognized. This procedural step allows election processes to move forward without delay.
Local Elections
Scottsdale just wrapped up its primary elections, with Whitehead taking a win and four other candidates moving on to the next round. These results are going to directly shape who's running the city and making the big decisions next.
Election Results
Early numbers show Solange Whitehead out front in the race for three Scottsdale City Council seats. If you live here, these results directly shape the local policies and decisions that affect your daily life.
City Council Election
Three Scottsdale City Council seats are up for grabs in the upcoming election, so it's time to check out the candidates and figure out who gets your vote. These new leaders will make major decisions about where our city is headed, so your ballot actually matters here.
Museum of the West Marketing Partnership and Tourism Impact
The city approved $90,000 to help market Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West and its upcoming expansion, featuring the Eddie Basha collection. Leaders hope this investment will drive more tourists and locals to Old Town, boosting downtown businesses.
Main Street Entertainment and Liquor Licensing Legal Consultation
Residents and business owners strongly opposed a bar conditional use permit for Alpio's at Troon, citing deed restrictions, parking deficits, noise, and lighting concerns.
Water Credit Purchase
Scottsdale City Council is voting on buying new water credits to make sure our taps keep flowing and to manage future growth in the desert. It's a crucial move for locking in our long-term water supply as the city continues to expand.
Old Town Scottsdale Annual Marketing Plan
The council and community discussed how to best promote Old Town tourism, preserve its unique western character, and handle marketing contracts.
Long-Term Water Storage Credits Acquisition
Scottsdale is spending $8.25 million to buy 15,000 acre-feet of water storage credits in the Harquahala Valley to strengthen its long-term drought resilience.
Charter Officer Compensation and Contract Reviews
The city council reviewed and adjusted compensation and contracts for its top four executive officers: the acting city auditor, city manager, city treasurer, and city clerk. These decisions set the administrative leadership pay scales for the city.
Water Recycling
Scottsdale just pulled funding for its water recycling program because looming water cuts are forcing the city to tighten its belt. Get ready for stricter water rules and a major hit to local conservation efforts.
Budget Debate
Scottsdale's latest budget proposal is taking heat from critics who say it ignores critical water planning. If you care about your tap water and where your tax dollars are going, this is definitely something to watch.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Community Facilities District Budgets and Tax Levies
The city council reviewed and approved the annual budgets and tax levies for four local community facilities districts: D.C. Ranch, McDowell Mountain Ranch, Via Linda Road, and Scottsdale Waterfront Commercial. These districts manage specific public infrastructure and debt financing for their respective areas.
Water Resources
Scottsdale's water supply is feeling the pinch as major Colorado River deals end, meaning city leaders will soon have to make tough choices about your water habits and monthly bills.
Shea Boulevard and 66th Street Pedestrian Crossing (HAWK)
Residents and congregants near a local synagogue advocated for a pedestrian hybrid beacon on Shea Boulevard to protect families walking on weekends, while opponents raised traffic flow concerns.
Gateway at Main Street Plaza Litigation
The City Council held a closed-door session with attorneys to discuss an ongoing lawsuit filed against the city by the Gateway at Main St. Plaza Scottsdale Condominium Association.
City Auditor Selection and Appointment
The City Council is actively interviewing finalists to fill the permanent City Auditor role, ensuring independent financial oversight for municipal operations.
Council Rules of Procedure Amendments
Resident Steve Sutton submitted a petition challenging the two-day submission rule for citizen petitions and the use of staff investigation options, prompting debate and a vote to direct staff to respond.
Quarterly Financial and CIP Performance
City finances are currently performing strongly with General Fund revenues coming in 5% above budget, though council members debated whether revenue projections are being kept too conservative.
Scottsdale Arts Management and Financial Participation Agreements
The Council reviewed and approved new multi-year agreements with Scottsdale Arts, incorporating tighter performance metrics, step-down general fund support, and governance changes.
Ongoing Litigation (Fuller v. City of Scottsdale)
The City Council met privately with attorneys to discuss strategy and legal options in the ongoing Fuller v. City of Scottsdale lawsuit.
Board and Commission Vacancies
Scottsdale is looking for everyday residents to step up and serve on local volunteer boards and commissions by November 13. If you've ever wanted to influence how local parks, libraries, and city development are handled, now is your chance to jump in.
Road Construction
Scottsdale just started a $14.2 million second bridge on Thompson Peak Parkway to clear up a notorious bottleneck and add bike and pedestrian crossings. Construction should take about a year, but your traffic lanes are staying open for now.